Turbine-engine.



'Patent ed Dec. l6, H502.

No. 7l6,047.

c. a. INGHAM.

TURBINE ENGINE.

' on filed Man 25, 1902 6 Sheets-Sheet I.

6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented Dec; 16, 1902.

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c. n. INGI-IAM.

TURBINE ENGINE.

A umi n filed Mn. 25, 1902.

- No. 7l6,047.

(No Model.)

kifi WEE i w W .i

Q$m m x No. 7|6,047. Patented Dec. l6, I902.

C. R; INGHAM.

- TURBINE ENGINE.

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j jiy c. n. INGHAM. TURBINE ENGINE.

N0. 7l6,047. Patented Deb. l6, I902.

v C. R. INGHAM.

TURBINE ENGINE (Applipation filed Mar. 25, 1902.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

( No Model.)

Xwvmmz H 1 a 8 I I H l\ L O-N\ 1n. NNFL 3 D Y W Q Q n n\u\ Q AwUNl 6 .H. O 0 U 0 "No; 7|s,047. Patented Dec. [6, I902.

- c. n. INGHAM.

TURBINE ENGINE. (Application fil ad Mar. 9;, 1902.

'6 Sheets-Sheet 6."

(No Model.)

- UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

NEW YORK.

cI-ni RLEs R. mdn'dfif or SUFFERN, NEW. YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN TURBINE ENGINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. ,Y., A CORPORATION or TURBlNE-ENGlNEr SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N0.'716,047, dated December 16, 1902.. Application filed March 25, 1902. Serial No. 99,857. (No model.)

To a ll whom; it may concern:

Be it known thatI, CHARLES R. INGRAM, a citizenof'the United States, residing at Suffern, Rockland county, and. State of New- York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Turbine-Engines, of which the following is aspecification su fficientt'o enable others skilled in the art to which the inven tion appertains to make and use thesame.

My improvements relate to turbine'ste'amengiue's.

As heretofore constructed turbine-engines have been Operated by the kinetic energy of steam acting upon radially-inclined surfaces upon the periphery of the turbine in contradistinction to the utilization of the static expausive force of the steam, as-in the ordinary reciprocating steam-engine- Furthermore,

as heretofore constructed turbine steam-en gines have been arranged so that the line of "action of the steam has, been parallel to theaxes of the turbine.

My invention consists in. so constructing-a turbine engine that the static expansive force of the steam is utilized as well as the. kinetic energy thereof and iii-applying the steam at right angles to the axis of the turbine, as hereinafter set forth.

My invent-ion also includes special features of construction and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed specifically.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an end elevation, on a small scale, of m y improved turbine-engine. Fig. 2 is a central.

longitudinal sectionalelevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section upon plane of line 3 3, Fig. 2. tion upon plane of line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. dis a. partial section upon plane 'ofline 5 5, Fig; 2. Fig. 6 is-a transverse section upon plane of line 6 6, Fig. 2; Fi 7, an elevation 'Ofthe port-ring removed from the casing. Fig. 8 isa section takenupon plane of line 8 8, Fig. 2; Fi 9, a partial section taken upon plane pfline 99, Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a view similar ftbTigj!) of the opposite end of the turbine. ig. 11 is a diagrammatic viewshowing the relative arrangement of-the inle -and discharge .ports. v H

- In the accompanying drawings I haste shown operative parts essential in carryii'ig' knit; my invention practically, all minor de- Fig. 4 is a transverse sec tailsbeing omitted; but I do not confine myself to the identical form and structure shown,

--since various modifications and mechanical exp'edients may be resorted to without departing'from' the spirit and intent ofmy invention.

My ,turbine consists, essentially, of a ro- [tatable center or hub'A, formed with two or more series of sun ular peripheral steam-buck ets, the buckets in each succeeding set or 'ring being larger in area than the buckets in the preceding one. Thus in the accompanying drawings two series A A A and al a a of annular rows of steam-buckets are shown,

the inner sets A a being the smaller and the buckets A a being intermediate in size as;

well as position between the buckets A a" and the buckets A a. Any desired number of annular rows of buckets may be included. in a series, as may be found most expedient,

provided that there. is agradual progression in area to admit of the successive expansions of steam. 4 In order to attain a perfectly-balanced engine iii-which there will be no end- .thrust, in either direction, I prefer to arrange the stcam-bucketsin twoseries, as shown,

starting from or. near the center, the-several annular sets or ;,rows'of buckets being arposite directions. It will be seen that there is no communicationth rough the rotatable hub A. itself and the several rows of buckets. Each 'ann'ular row and each bucket is independent of all the others. Steam is admitted into the steam-buckets through inlet-portal" I I 'i 11' '11, formed in the port cylinder R. These 'inlet port's 1' I l 11' a are preferably arranged tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable center or turbine A, and there are preferably as many of them as there aresteam-buckets in the annular rows to which the areiopposed. A cone-- 'spondingseries'of ischarge-ports D D d d are also arranged int-he p0rt-cylinder R to lation togthe tangential inlet-port's referred let to, so asto conduct the steam from one set of steam-huckctsto the nextlsncceeding set, as indicatedf bydotted lines-in-Fig. 2, Followao ranged successively, according to-area, in opforms a simple,convenient, and advantageous arrangement, although not absolutely essential to the successful operation of the machine, sincethe grooves s 3 may be supplied independently, if desired.

EE' E e 6 6 represent a series of expansionkpockets formed with radial walls orabutments e, which perform a function equivalent tothat of cylinder-heads in reciprocating engines in that they each afiord a stationary resisting-shrt'ace against which the expansive force of. the steam may be exerted through the inlet-ports I 1 I i'- i i andagainst the opposed surfaces at of one of the turbinebuckets, each of which of said opposed radial surfaces ais thus made to perform the function of a piston in a reciprocatory engine.

It is to be understood that the inlet-ports I I? I t" 71 2' and discharge-ports D D d (2 steam-pockets E E E as e", and steambuckets A A A a a a increase progress ively in size from first to last in proportion to the successive expansion of steam to be effected as the steam passes through the apparatus according to well-known rules governing multiple-expansion engines, and I donot confine myself to the relative sizes and pro- .portions' shown in the drawings.

Having thus described the essential features ofmy improved turbine, the operation thereof may be stated, as follows: Steam entering at high pressure into the grooves s .9 either directly or through the spiral groove s,

as before stated, is injected forcibly and si-' multaneonslyintoall the buckets in the series A af through the firstseries of inner ports I t",

impinging againstthe raidial surfaces aof said buckets A a, and then escaping through the oblique discharge-ports D d into the next succeeding series of expansion-pockets E e, from which it passes through the inlet-ports I i into the row of buckets A 11 to escape from them in turn-- through the succeeding series of discharge-ports D d into the third series of expansion-pockets E e and through the succeeding rows of tangential inlet-ports I '6 into the rows of turbine-buckets A a and so on for as many series of steam-buckets as may be provided in the turbine, finally escaping through the series of discharge-ports D? d? into the discharge-chambers. D d at either end of the engine. It will thus be seen thatl am enabled to attain all the advantages of multiple expansion in a rotary or turbine engine and that the number of expan-' sions may be extended indefinitely by increasing the series of steam-buckets 'with the necessary ports, &c., included. I also retain all the advantages of the initial impact or kinetic force of the steam, by'which alone tn r- This will be un-' 'derstood by reference to Figs. 3 and 7 and 'bines have heretofore been operated. Furthermore,both the kinetic and expansive force of the steam is sxerted at right angles, or substantially so, to the axes of the turbine in contradistinction to the old method of applying the force of the steam parallel to the axis. The advantages thus attained both inv simplicity and efiiciency are obvious, the impact and expansion of the steam being exerted under the most advantageous conditions, so that all the power inherent in the steam is fully imparted to the turbine in a relatively short period that is to'say,a given degree of powerand speed is attained by my improved construction with greater economy of space and apparatus. In fact, the simplicity of the apparatus is in marked contrast to all turbines as heretofore constructed, the only operative part being the rotatable center, in which the steam-buckets maybe said to be sunk- \Vhen the delicate and expensive character of the usual steamblades projecting from the periphery of the ordinary turbine is considered, it will be seen that my structure is not only much cheaper as to first cost, but also as to maintenance.

As before stated, the structure herein shown is by way of illustration only and may be modified to suit requirements. For instance, I have herein shown the inlet-ports and discharge-ports as formed in the cylindrical portring R, which is forced into the casing B and becomes-practically integral therewith.

For convenience of construction I preferably, though not necessarily, make the casing B of a series of annular sections B B Band b b b, containing the steam-pockets E E E and e e e, interposed between plain annular partitions (TC 0 c c c, in addition to the central partition C. These sections and partitions are bolted or otherwise secured rigidly together. The rotatable center or hub A may in like manner, be formedof a series of sections in which the steam-buckets are formed, said sections being separated by a series of annular partitions, as indicated in the drawings.

It is obvious that a single series of buckets .A A A or more, extending from one extremity of the rotatable center A toward the other, may be used, if desired; but I prefer to use a duplex series, as shown, for the purpose of avoiding en'dthrust and attaining a perfectly-balanced turbine.

It will be seen that by my invention I am enabled to provide for any number-of multiple expansions, each ring or seriesof buckets, with its inlet and discharge ports, &c., constituting practically an independent expansion-engine. .Thus inthe drawings I attain the etfect of two triple-expansion rotary en-i gines incorporated in a single rotatable center or turbine.

By reference to Fig. 11 it will be seen that I the inlet and discharge ports are alternately opened and closed as the center rotates, thus insuring successive expansions of the steam as it passes fromthe steam-pockets in the cas-' .ing into the steam-buckets'in the center.

* wit'lr-a Ora-table center formed with a plural- -ity'=ofl nu'lai-"rows of steam-buckets, each 5 annula ow'andeachbucket bei-ngindepend- :ent of al'l theothers,and each succeeding row *buekets-bsi ngarranged in series and dis osed -Io ;'suc'cessfi e-l according to area in opposite di- V l I ticke' nd= ta-'ngentia'l inlets fo'r con i ductin n' steamsuccessivel y fromone annular 21' 2. "Inv a' :turbin-e ='ei1jgin'e, the combination witha rotatable'ce'nter formed with a plural- .ity ofnannular rows of steam-buckets, each I annular ro af-andeach bucket being independ- 2o ent-'of-all'lhe others, and "each succeeding row lot largerareaithan the preceding row, said buck'etsbeing'arranged iii series and disposed successively accor'ding to area in opposite di-' rections, of a'ca's'i'ng fo'r'med'W-ith annular 25 steam-bu-eketsand tangential inlets'for con ducting steam successively from one annular row of buckets in said centerto another, and

v discharge-ports for transferring steam from the primary rows of turbine-buckets in said center to the next succeeding rows,. as set forth.

3. In a steam-turbine the combination of the rotatable center formed with aplurality' of annular rows of steam-buckets, the stationaryeasing formed with' a corresponding'series of annular steam-pockets, tangential in;

lets admitting steam to the primary rows of'l steam-buckets, discharge-ports for conducta ing the steam from said primary rows of steam- 4o buckets to the second annular series of steampockets, inlet-ports for ad mittin g steam'from" the secondary rows of steam-pockets'to the secondary rows of steam-buckets and ports for discharging the steam from said secondary .45 rows of buckets, substantially as set forth. r j 4. In a steam turbine the combination',of the rotatable center-A, form'edwith a pluralr-ir ity of rows of annular stean' buckets of different area, the stationary casing formed with a corresponding series of annular steam-pockets a.series of inletsports g orresponding in number to, the=series of steam-buckets in the,

, primary rows and with a series-of d'isch'argeports of like no niber for'conducting the steam 5 5 from the primary rows of steam-buckets, to

the next succeeding rows of'steam substantially as set forth. 1 I

5. ,In a steam-turbine'the combination of buckets,"

the rotatable center, formed'with a-plurality' 69 of annular rows of steam-buckets, the stationary casing formed with an annular steam chamber or groove having a series. of inlet ports corresponding-in numberjo the series of steam-buckets in the primary rows, a se-- ries of discharge-pens of like number for con:-

ducting the steam 'to'a secondary annular series of steam-pockets, a series of inlets correa cwing formed with] annularspending-in number to the steam-buckets in the secondary rowsvand a series of discharge.

portsof likenumber for admitting the escape of the steam from said secondary rows of steam-buckets, substantially as set forth.

6. In'asteam-turbine'the combination of the rotatable center formed with a. plurality of rowsof steam-buckets and the stationary casing form ed with an annular series of steambuckets' h'aving inlet-ports equal in numberi tionarycasing formed with a corresponding series of steam-pockets, the primary rows of hich are connected by a series of inlet ports withthe primary annular rows of steam -bucki sis and the succeeding series of which are conneeted respectively by discharge-inlets with the precedingrow of steam-buckets and by inlet-ports .with the succeeding row of steambuckets substantially as set forth.

8; In a steam-turbine the combination of a rotatable center, for'med with-a. plurality of -annular rows of 'steamrbuck/ets arranged in two series, each series consisting of two or moreann'ular rows of steam-buckets of diifer- 'entarea, aindia stationary casin g formed with corresponding-series of steam-pockets, with in-letsfor admitting steam respectively to each-Jo t en-terse -in each series and with dischal'ge'and inlet po'r'ts for. tra'nsferrin g the steam "from the steam-pockets to the steambuckets, substantially as set forth.

9.- In a steam-turbine the combination with a. rotatable center formed with a plurality of rowsof annularsteam-buckets arranged in tfl'v of'series substantially as seti forth, and a casing formed with a spiral steam-inlet passageopening into annular steam-passages having inlet-'ports'for conducting the steam frothsaid annular steam-spaces into the prinary rows of steam-buckets in each series of steam-buckets and withdischarge and inlet ports for transmitting the steam'f'rom saidprimary rows of steam-buckets to succeeding rows, substantially as herein set forth.

. 10. In a steam-turbine the combination with the rotatable center formed with a plurality of steam-buckets arranged in two series substantially as setl forth, and the stationary casing formed with-two annular. steam-spaces having inlet-ports corresponding in number to the steam-pockets in the primary rows in {each series, formed with corresponding numher of discharge-ports for conducting steam from said primary rows of steam-buckets to steam-pockets with inlet-ports corresponding in number to the buckets in the secondary annular rows of steam-buckets in the rotatable centerand with a corresponding number of discharge-ports for conducting the steam from the secondary rows of steam-buckets to secondary steam-pocketsfor the purpose-and substantially in the manner set forth.

11. In a steam-turbine the combination of the rotatable center formed with steam-buckets having radial surfaces and arranged in series and disposed successively according to area in opposite directions, and a stationary casing formed with inlet-ports tangential to the rotatable center, and with a corresponding number of discharge-ports and steampockets, substantially in the manner set forth.

12. In a steam-turbine the combi'nation withthe rotatable center formed with radial surfaces for receiving the impact of the steam and arranged in series and disposed'successively'according to area in opposite direcpendent of all the others, of the stationary casing formed with the inlet-ports tangential to said rotatable center, and with expansionpockets formed with surfaces which aresnbstantially radial to the rotatable center, for the purpose and substantially in the manner set forth.

13. In asteam-turbine the combination with the rotatable center formed with series steambuokets having radial im pact-surfaces, of the stationarycasingformed with a corresponding number of inlet-ports tangential to the rotatable center, with a corresponding numberof steam-pockets and a corresponding number .of discharge-ports, the steam-pockets being ,arranged to receive the steam from 'one setions, substantially as and for the purpose.

set forth.-

CHARLES R. INGRAM; Witnesses:

D. W. Gunman,

E; Roscn. 

